Comp fraud plea proves deputy is no warrior

A California correctional officer was racing toward a workers compensation fraud charge when he was recorded running the rigorous obstacles of a Spartan Race while out on temporary total disability for an alleged shoulder injury.

Edmundo Rocha, 44, pleaded no contest Wednesday to misdemeanor workers compensation fraud, was sentenced to 10 days in county jail and was fined $5,000, according to Bay City News Service. 

The San Mateo County Sheriffs deputy reported an injury in October 2016 that he said resulted from defensive tactics training the previous month, prosecutors told reporters.

Mr. Rocha was eventually diagnosed with a left shoulder sprain and given workers compensation benefits, along with modified duty, and later, total temporary disability, prosecutors said.

But the injury only served as one obstacle in a lineup of the dozens for which the Spartan Race is known. While on disability, a fellow deputy and race participant wearing a GoPro camera captured Mr. Rocha navigating the rugged race course.